Thursday, December 03, 2020

Poetry Friday: Advent by Thomas Merton



I've shared this one before but it's so lovely I can never resist it. 

Advent
by Thomas Merton 

Charm with your stainlessness these winter nights, 
Skies, and be perfect! Fly, vivider in the fiery dark, you quiet meteors, 
And disappear. 
You moon, be slow to go down, 
This is your full!

The four white roads make off in silence 
Towards the four parts of the starry universe. 
Time falls like manna at the corners of the wintry earth. 
We have become more humble than the rocks, 
More wakeful than the patient hills.

(Read the whole poem here.) 

~~~~~

The Poetry Friday round-up is at A Year of Reading

11 comments:

Bridget Magee said...

Yes, lovely should always be on repeat, Karen. I love Merton's words: "This is your full!" - perfect for moons and the sharing of poetry. :)

Janice Scully said...

This poem is peaceful, a call to be more humble and more wakeful. Thank you, Karen.

Fran Haley said...

Earlier in the week, the moon was full and so bright - how can one see it and not be "full," too? It silently speaks of awe and peace... beautifully captured by Merton. A poem perfect for Advent.

Linda Mitchell said...

I do love the marking of advent...the intentional waiting and finding beauty in it. What a lovely poem. It is new to me. Thank you.

jan godown annino said...

An intriguing Advent thinking.
I hope as TM writes we have become "more humble than the rocks"
from the twists of this 2020 year.
Appreciations for sharing, dear Karen.

Linda B said...

With all our hours of contemplations this year, this poem shows what can be: "We have become more humble than the rocks,
More wakeful than the patient hills." I believe (hope) that most people have. Thanks, Karen.

Carol Varsalona said...

Karen, my friend turned me on to the wisdom of Thomas Merton. This poem is a beautiful one to start the Advent Season. The ending is wonderful:
"Oh white full moon as quiet as Bethlehem!"
Fullness, quiet, peace are all significant thoughts here as we approach the birth of the Christ Child. Maybe the world will cry out with good news of a vaccine soon. That would be the perfect gift of the season.

Mary Lee said...

Thanks for helping me see the moon in new ways!

Karen Edmisten said...

Thank you, all, for stopping by. It makes me happy to share this beauty with you. xo

Linda said...

A lovely, peaceful poem. Thank you for sharing it, Karen!

Ruth said...

"Close to home in the sweet hay" sure works for this year!